Published: Monday, April 29, 2013 at 6:47 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, April 29, 2013 at 6:47 a.m.

If what they say about April showers is true, expect a prodigious bloom next month.

About 2 inches of rain fell at Asheville Regional Airport over the weekend, according to the National Weather Service in Greer, S.C., bringing the total for April to nearly 5 inches so far.

A large low-pressure front fueled by moisture drawn out of the Gulf of Mexico produced “copious amounts of rain across the mountains,” said NWS Meteorologist Doug Outlaw.

The normal monthly rainfall through April 28 is 3.11 inches, so Sunday's heavy rains put the area about 2 inches ahead of average, Outlaw said. Yearly rainfall totals at the airport are nearly 6 inches above normal, he said, standing at 20.4 inches as of mid-day Sunday.

A flash flood warning was in effect Sunday and was lifted Monday morning for areas of Western North Carolina, including Henderson, Transylvania and Polk counties. Rain is predicted to taper off by this morning, with daytime highs around 69 degrees.

“Over the course of tonight, drier air will move in from Tennessee and across the North Carolina mountains,” Outlaw said Sunday, adding there is a slight chance of rain this morning for the Hendersonville area. The torrential rainfall washed out the 14th annual Children's Day Festival and Business Expo planned for Jackson Park on Sunday. Organizers decided not to reschedule the event.

“We're just going to have a rain contingency in place for next year,” said Carolina McCready of El Centro, one of the event's sponsors. More than 3,000 people were expected at this year's familyfocused festival, which offers local businesses an opportunity to connect with Latino clients.

The downpour doused any hot spots remaining from a 180-acre wildfire that burned Friday across southern Transylvania County. N.C. Forest Service officials are still investigating the cause, but no homes were destroyed by the blaze, which began as a series of small brush fires between Rosman and Lake Toxaway.

Rain didn't dampen enthusiasm for Saturday's antique car show on Seventh Avenue. Several hundred people braved the soggy conditions to view the vintage vehicles, visit vendors and sample food, organizers said. Despite the showers, many attendees migrated over to the Southern Appalachian Brewery's vintage motorcycle show.

“It was a big success for such a dreary day,” said Tara Tinsley Ledbetter, executive director of the Historic 7th Avenue District. “The car show kind of tapered off as the rain came in (around 1 p.m.) but the vintage motorcycle event at the brewery had tons of people standing around with umbrellas. I couldn't believe it. It was pouring!”

<p>If what they say about April showers is true, expect a prodigious bloom next month.</p><p>About 2 inches of rain fell at Asheville Regional Airport over the weekend, according to the National Weather Service in Greer, S.C., bringing the total for April to nearly 5 inches so far.</p><p>A large low-pressure front fueled by moisture drawn out of the Gulf of Mexico produced “copious amounts of rain across the mountains,” said NWS Meteorologist Doug Outlaw.</p><p>The normal monthly rainfall through April 28 is 3.11 inches, so Sunday's heavy rains put the area about 2 inches ahead of average, Outlaw said. Yearly rainfall totals at the airport are nearly 6 inches above normal, he said, standing at 20.4 inches as of mid-day Sunday.</p><p>A flash flood warning was in effect Sunday and was lifted Monday morning for areas of Western North Carolina, including Henderson, Transylvania and Polk counties. Rain is predicted to taper off by this morning, with daytime highs around 69 degrees.</p><p>“Over the course of tonight, drier air will move in from Tennessee and across the North Carolina mountains,” Outlaw said Sunday, adding there is a slight chance of rain this morning for the Hendersonville area. The torrential rainfall washed out the 14th annual Children's Day Festival and Business Expo planned for Jackson Park on Sunday. Organizers decided not to reschedule the event.</p><p>“We're just going to have a rain contingency in place for next year,” said Carolina McCready of El Centro, one of the event's sponsors. More than 3,000 people were expected at this year's familyfocused festival, which offers local businesses an opportunity to connect with Latino clients.</p><p>The downpour doused any hot spots remaining from a 180-acre wildfire that burned Friday across southern Transylvania County. N.C. Forest Service officials are still investigating the cause, but no homes were destroyed by the blaze, which began as a series of small brush fires between Rosman and Lake Toxaway. </p><p>Rain didn't dampen enthusiasm for Saturday's antique car show on Seventh Avenue. Several hundred people braved the soggy conditions to view the vintage vehicles, visit vendors and sample food, organizers said. Despite the showers, many attendees migrated over to the Southern Appalachian Brewery's vintage motorcycle show. </p><p>“It was a big success for such a dreary day,” said Tara Tinsley Ledbetter, executive director of the Historic 7th Avenue District. “The car show kind of tapered off as the rain came in (around 1 p.m.) but the vintage motorcycle event at the brewery had tons of people standing around with umbrellas. I couldn't believe it. It was pouring!” </p><p>Reach Axtell at 828-694-7860 or than.axtell@blueridgenow.com</p>